Last Wednesday, Kim Jong Un lambasted a North Korean amusement park for its ‘pitiful’ state of disrepair, according to North Korea’s official media agency. Kim was touring the government-operated Mangyongdae Funfair in Pyongyang, the nation’s capital, when he heavily criticized the upkeep of the amusement park. According to multiple news agencies and the Telegraph:

At one point, Kim leaned down to pick out grass from a crack in the pavement, saying to the officials, “I had no idea the park could be so pitiful.”

Kim carried on while inspecting the park’s gardens and rides, continuously criticizing the peeling paint and raising concerns about the attraction’s safety. The trip was a sharp departure from the inspection tours taken by his father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather Kim Il Sung, whom often praised North Korea’s facilities.

The young leader, believed to be around 29, succeeded Kim Jong Il last December after the elder Kim passed away. Though much remains to be seen, it has been hinted that the current Kim, who spent time in Switzerland as a teenager, is more open to economic reform than his father.

The criticism also comes shortly after Kim revealed a “master plan” for improving living standards throughout the country. Among Kim’s suggested blueprints include efforts to renovate, repair and develop new and existing road transportation options in the reclusive nation.

Kim went on, telling the North Korean media that ”To effect a drastic turn in land management, it is necessary to work out a master plan for land management in a scientific and realistic way and carry it out under a long-term plan.”

Kim’s current efforts could just be a way of establishing his image as a competent leader after his father’s death. Just last month, North Korea fired a rocket during a “missile test” in a political display of power with the newest Kim at the helm (even if later, the rocket turned out to be a dud).

Jang Yong-seok, a researcher at Seoul National University, reminded South Korea’s news agency Yonhap of the bottom line: “The aim is to instill an awareness among ranking officials across North Korea that Kim Jong Un is a benevolent leader but also strict when it comes to principles.”

Erica Ho was previously a reporter for TIME in Hong Kong where she wrote about technology, pop culture and Asian international affairs. Before that, she worked at Gizmodo, Lifehacker and AOL. She now currently runs Map Happy, a travel-oriented site.